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Complex suicides refer to using two or more suicide modes. In the literature, complex suicides are distinguished into planned and unplanned. Using multiple methods is related to ensuring a fatal result or because the first method appears too painful, time-consuming, or ineffective. The review aims to provide an overview of the critical features of complex suicides in the forensic context. The review was conducted by searching online databases (PubMed Central and Scopus) up to March 2023. We identified 52 articles that met the inclusion criteria, describing 261 cases. Suicides were classified as planned in 136 cases (52.1%); 105 cases (40.2%) were defined as unplanned, while in the remaining 20 cases (7.7%), the authors did not propose any classification. In 2/261 (0.8%) cases, four modes were indicated, three modes were observed in 34/261 cases (13%), and in 224/261 (85.8%) cases the suicides were carried out using a combination of two distinct methods. The method most frequently employed in the first instance in unplanned suicides were sharp-force injuries and stabbing, followed by mechanical asphyxia (hanging, self-strangulation, plastic bag suffocation) and a fall from height. Regarding planned suicide, the most frequent suicide methods were asphyxia, intoxication (drugs, substances of abuse, or alcohol), and poisoning via toxic substances. Complex suicides represent a relatively rare entity in forensic pathology; nevertheless, they can be challenging for the forensic pathologist in terms of differential diagnosis compared to homicides, due to the sometimes multifaceted presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease spread through respiratory droplets. The number of reported cases increased worldwide in 2023, particularly in the European Region. Italy reported 213 cases in the first quarter of 2024, with most of them in unvaccinated adults aged 15–64. Maintaining high vaccination coverage is essential to prevent outbreaks, especially in healthcare settings where measles transmission is a significant risk. In our study, we collected serological and demographic information from all Italian and foreign medical students and residents (850) who underwent a pre-training assessment at the Tor Vergata Occupational Medicine Service, Rome, between 3 April 2023 and 31 January 2024. Of the 850 students and residents analyzed, we found only 546 (64.2%) with a protective level of IgG antibodies against measles, with a median IgG level of 2.00 AI. A significant proportion of students and residents were serologically non-immune, raising concerns about the potential risk of hospital transmission. To manage this risk, it is important to assess serological levels, vaccinate those with inadequate levels, and promote vaccination in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoenergetics are defined as a class of nanomaterials that possess the ability to release energy in certain situations. These properties have been studied and deepened in recent years, so much so that nanoenergetics have been introduced into the use of the weapons industry, among others. It is therefore an emerging reality that deserves attention with regard to potential harmful effects on human and environmental health. it has been suggested that nanoenergetics may have genotoxic and immunotoxic effects, among others. Problems related to exposure to nanonenergetics can therefore potentially affect both exposed workers (both in the production and use phase) and the civilian population, if used in war scenarios, for example,. Starting from these assumptions, the INNOTOX research project aims to contribute to the in-depth study of the toxicity of nanonenergetics, through an integrated approach involving experts in occupational and forensic medicine, nanotoxicology and bioengineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children learn about new objects and words more quickly if the new objects and words are presented in the same context as well known objects and words that they have encountered previously. This method of learning is known as the exclusion phenomenon. In an experiment with seven Brazilian boys aged 8-11 with histories of failure in school, exclusion training was more effective than modified trial-and-error (selection) training in teaching auditory-visual conditional relations and led to better performance on a naming test. Fast mapping differs from the exclusion phenomenon, but often occurs under the same circumstances.

Procedures of matching to sample (ECM) are widely use don experimental studies of complex behavioral processes. Its use in clinical evaluation of language skills, however, has not been explored. This study illustrates the application of ECM tasks in the assessment of skills of auditory recognition of words and naming figures in a child with severe hearing loss. The participant was submitted to different computerized tests for auditory recognition and naming, which were repeated until accurate performance was observed. In attempts of recognition it was presented as model a dictated word and three pictures as alternative choices, one of which was defined as correct in the presence of the model In attempts of naming, the computer showed a figure with instruction for naming. The results indicated that the participant was able to name most of the figures presented, albeit with deviant speech production in some sounds. The performance in attempts to recognition performance was lower than in attempts of naming only in the beginning of the study. However, as the tests were replicated an improvement was observed in the performance of tasks of auditory recognition of words within and between tests. In naming tasks, it was also noted improvement in the oral production of words. The study also contains a discussion on the applicability of the procedures of ECM in speech assessment protocols as a source of information both about areas of difficulty as well as prognostic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis antigens without clinical manifestation: the healthcare workers (HCWs) have a higher exposure risk so prevention is an important challenge for occupational medicine. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of LTBI among HCWs of the Foundation Policlinic "Tor Vergata"., Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted by analyzing the clinical records of 825 HCWs of the PTV, from January 1st to December 31th 2016. To evaluate the TB infection we used the Quantiferon TB Gold interferon-gamma release assay., Results: Our study underlines the low prevalence of LTBI in the Italian healthcare workers., Conclusion: Although the LTBI status is not contagious, the diagnosis and the safety strategies require specific clinical and preventive considerations., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2021 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.)